Signaling means for toy banks and for other purposes



1,. GIICLAS SIGNALING MEANS'FOR TOY BANKS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Fild June 4, 1921 s Sheets-Shoot 1 Sept. 2, 1924. 1,501,219

L.GICLA$ swmmmemnms non TOY BANKS AND FOR OTHER PuRPosas Filed June 4, 1921 3 Shunt-Shut z 4 Y 1 o i L fi ml if =2 I mi [I I i I I I l "I" F i 7 8mm; I H11 v I I L. QACLAS SIGNALING EEMN'S FQR TOY BANKS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSE Filecfi Jmw 4 m2: 3 Shuts-Shaw Patented Sept. 2, 1924..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS GICLAS, or WASHINGTON, nrs'mrcr or COLUMBIA.

' SIGNALING MEANS FOR TOY BANKS AND FOR OTHER mmrosm.

Application filed June 4,

zen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Means for Toy Banks and for Other Purposes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to t e accompanying drawing.

This invention relates primarily to improvements in signaling means capable of a I variety of uses such as in connection with toy banks, show windows, advertising devices, light houses, etc., all as will be more apparent from the specific description here- Qinafter set forth.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, my improved signaling means are employed in association with features operating in combination to serve as a toy bank. In keeping'with the spirit of thrift, it is desirable that some inducements be ofiered to inspire the saving of small sums represented in coins, and it has been with this thought in mind that I have conceived a 'bank which at certain times, as on the occasion of the insertion of a single coin, or after the accumulation of coins, or both, will set into action or motion a part of the mechanism which will represent or signal in some way that a coin has been deposited or that a number of coins have been saved.- To illustrate, I provide mechanism where, for ex ample, on the introduction of a' coin, the head of a figure will automatically nod in recognition of approval; and on the accumulation of an amount of savingssome other part or parts of the figure will act in the sense of a reward, to indicate that the goal desired to be reached in the savingshas been attained. In this way one is induced to save and will entertain the state of expectancy or desire to secure the automatic actuation of the device as the reward for the saving and depositing from time to time of the amounts required to obtain that result.

In keeping with the foregoing conception, a convenient and practical form of mechanism embodyin the invention comprises a figure fashione after Bartholdis' Statue of Liberty, the same having therewit-hin a receiver. for coins operatively related to a coin slot or the like, combined with a movable head on the figure and connecting mech 1921. Serial No. 475,075.

anism between the head and the coin slot in part in the path of a coin to cause the coin to actuate the head in the course ofinsertion of the coin, said figure also having movable arms bearing illuminating devices or appro priate words, and mechanism between the same and the coin receiver so that the latter, following the accumulation of coins therein, will move or otherwise I exert a control to effect the actuation of said arms and also the illuminations associated therewith. De

tails in the construction and arrangement of parts of the device will now be described, but here it is to be understood that the construction and arrangement is capable of much modification without departing from the spirit of the invention as incorporated in the hereto appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bank; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same;

Fig.2 is a diagram of the electric circuit; Figure 3 is a detail side view; gigure 4 is a transverse sectional view; an

Figures 5 and 6 are detail sectional views. Referring mfore specifically to the drawings, wherein like reference letters designate like parts in the several views, A represents a casing formed of sheet metal of any desired sections found expedient in assembling the same into the whole, same having the general contour of the Statue of Liberty with the enlarged base portion B, the head C, and the arms D and E, respectively. Within the enlarged base is a COlIl tray F having its upper part open so that coins may fall thereinto when inserted through the coin slot represented at G. lihe coin tray or receiver F is adapted to have a freedom of movement in a vertical direction and rests centrally upon the shorter end of a lever H fulcrumed ath in somewhat elevated position to the bottom of the device, the longer end of the lever bearing a weight k. which is adapted to normally overcome the weight of the coin tray or receiver F and hold the same in elevated position until a suflicient quantity of coins has been deposited in the tray or receiver to overcome the weight h and permit the tray or receiver to depress the shorterend of the lever correspondingly elevating the longer end thereof with its path of the coin will compel the coin to rock accompanying weight. All this is for a purpose as will presently appear.

The head C is pivoted to the main or body portion of the figure as at 0 so that the head may be subjected to a nodding action, such actlon being desirably obtaine coincidently with the insertion of a coin through the coin slot G. To this end an arrangement of pivoted levers J and j are provided, the former connected to the head in advance of the pivot 0 and 'the latter having its free arm arranged in the path of the coin introduced through the coin slot G, said levers being connected by suitable linkage j.

The end of the lever j projecting into the said lever and correspondingly transmit rocking or nodding movement to the head of the figure as will be obvious.

The left arm D of the figure is bent somewhat at the elbow as shown and normally assumes an approximately horizontal position, the hand carrying the representation of a book, as at d entitled for example, Law. the region of'the elbow as at K to convert the same into a lever, the shorter or actuattion B of the device above the coin receiver F, the spring being adapted to be secured the latter.

ing position k of which is intended-to be engaged by additional means to cause an up and down swinging movement of the arm as will soon appear.

The other or right arm E of the figure extended and uplifted and carries a lamp or light 6 or some other equivalent device, the lamphfgrmation preferably bearing the word is arm E is provided with a ball and socket connection L movably uniting the same with the main or body portion ofthe figure and downwardly beyond said joint L, the arm has a rigid projecting or stem portlon M arranged interiorly of the device and terminating approximately axially 'of The short arm is of the arm-like lever D has an inwardly projecting lug'k' extending through an aperture a in the body ofthe figure so that the free end of the lug is also located interiorly of the device whereby both arms may be actuated by a common actuator nowto be defined. N is a spring motor mounted in the enlarged or base porat one end to the casing and at the other end to'a vertical shaft 0. Suitable gearing n with a shaft n leading to the exterior of the casing is furnished-to enable winding of the motor through the medium of a suitable key, handle or the like.- On the bottomof the shaft 0 below the spring N is a ratchet n with which a dog' or pawl f engages to prevent unwinding of the spring,

the weight k operating through the coin tray to which said pawl or dog is fixedly secured serving to keep the latter inoperative This particular arm is pivoted inengagement with the ratchet until the coins depress the tray, thus overcoming the weight and releasing the spring motor.

At the upper end of the vertical shaft 0 and fastened to rotate therewith is a cam block P, the upper rtion of which is hollow as at p and bridged by a diaphragm or top wall having an eccentrically disposed slot m through which the extension M of the arm E works to secure a back and forth movement of the arm as the cam block P rotates with the spindle 0 when the spring motor N is released. Around the periphery of the cam block is a peripheral cam way is into which the lug k on the arm D projects so that as the cam block rotates the arm D will be. given its up and down movement to which reference has been previously made.

From the foregoing it will be'appre::iated that the head of the device will nod as in approbation each time any coin is inserted into the device, and at some future time when the predetermined weight of coins has accumulated in the coin tray, the latter will. automatically lower itself within the casing, release the motor, and the motor will thereupon instantly operate. its'shaft or spindle the lamp e may in fact be lamps such as transparent casings, or perforated casings with electric bulbs X and in electric com munication with such bulbs,-I provide wiring leadin from; a battery Q having a switch R t e terminals of which are normally spaced or' broken, but which are adapted to be closed by the lowering movement of the filled coin tray so that simultaneohsly with the movement of the arms D and E the same will be illuminated. Associated with the same battery Q, I arran wiring leading to a bulb within the head, the broken switch in this instance represented at S being at the coin slot so as to be closed through the coin as the coin is passing through the slot, thus efi'ecting illumination of the head when desired, the metal of the head being perforated for that purpose. V

The friction between the various movable parts will be sufficient to exert a retarding influence against overspeeding of the spring motor and will obviate the necessity of a the effect of the device will be balance wheel although it is clear that one may be provided if found necessary in any 7 special instance, or any usual escapement furnished.

The head C of the figure is pivoted toward the rear of the head so that the forward weight thereof will normally seat the head and maintain the levers J and j and connecting linkage j .in operative position by restoring themselves after a coin in its passage through the coin slot into coin chute g has momentarily shifted or nodded the head.

It will be seen that whereas one particu lar embodiment of the'invention, namely: the bank, has been disclosed in. this application, such disclosure is for the purpose of imparting a complete understanding of the invention only because as mentioned at the outset of this specification, the device is capable of other uses. The Statue of Liberty always appeals to the public and the use of the motor actuated figure in a window (devoid of the bank feature) will be attractive and valuable as an advertising medium.

Again, in actual river or harbor uses, it is felt that the device will find a serviceable field because of its particular nature from ornamental and patriotic aspects during the day supplemented by the movable nature of signaling lights during the night.

In lieu of the constant illumination etfected through the battery Q and connections, intermittent illumination may be obtained by providing a depending pin or pins Ton the bottom of the cam block P adapted in its rotation to alternately close automatically opened spring switch'terminals U and V, respectively in circuit with the lamp or torch e and member d on the arm D to flash the same at intervals.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. A bank of the character described comprising a coin receiver, movable illuminating signaling means, means for illuminating said signaling means, means operatively associated with said movable illuminating signaling means and coin receiver rendered eflective upon an accumulation ofcoins in the coin receiver for actuating-the movable signaling means, and means connected with the signaling means and actuated by the coin receiver for setting in action'the illuminating means.

2. A bank of the character described comprising a casing in the shape of a figure, an

of the arms, means for maintaining the motor against operation and connected with the receiver, said means adapt-ed to be maintained for releasing the motor when the coin receiver has been, depressed.

3. A bank of the character described comprising a casing in the shape of a figure, an arm mounted for oscillation on the figure, an arm extended outwardly and mounted for axial rotation, a coin receiver mounted for vertical movement in the casing and adapted to be depressed by a predetermined number of coins deposited in said receiver, a motor, means operatively connecting the motor with the arms for causing'movement of the arms, means for maintaining the motor against operation and connected with the receiver, said means adapted to be maintained forreleasing the motor when the coin receiver has been depressed, a lamp mounted in the head of the figure, means for illuminating saidlamp, and means in the path of the receiver and adapted to be actuated for setting the illuminating means in action when said receiver has been depressed.

4. A bank of the character described comprising a casing in the shape of a figure, a

coin receiver mounted for movement in the casing and adapted to be depressed by a predetermined number of coins deposited in said receiver said casing being provided with movable arms, a motor operatively connected with said arms, means between the coin receiver and the motor controlling acmeans releasing the motor for operation upon accumulation of apredetermined number of coins in the receiver.

5. A bank of the character described comprising a casing in the shape of a figure, a coin receiver mounted for movement in said casing and adapted to be depressed by a predetermined number of coins deposited in said receiver, a slotted member for directing coins to the receiver, means for maintaining the receiver against movement until a predetermined number of coins have been deposited in said receiver, a motor, means connecting the motor with the receiver "for maintaining the motor against movement during the inactive position of the receiver, arms movably mounted on the casing and operatively connected with the motor, said motor causing actuation of the armsvwhen the receiver has released saidmotor.

8. In a-bank ofthe character described, a casing in the nature' ot a figure, provided with a door locked against unauthorized manipulation, a coin receiver in said casing, a'slotted member for the introduction and for directing coins to the receiver, said casing being provided with arms, one of the arms mounted for oscillation at one side of a figure,

the other arm extending upwardly from said figure and. mounted for rotation, a cam memtuation of the motor, said last mentioned g ber for oscillating'the first mentioned arm and rotating the second arm, a motor mounted within the casing and operatively connected with the cam member, a retaining means on the coin receiver for maintaining the motor against operation, said coin receiver being moved upon the accumulation of a predetermined number of coins in the same fordisplacing the retaining means to release the motor whereby the arms are operated. I

7. A device of the character described comprisin a casing in the nature of a figure, the same l iaving movable arms, a motor, a member adapted to be rotated by the motor, said member having an eccentric at one end anda peripheral cam way, and connections between one of the arms and said-eccentric to move the arm in upraised position and between the other arm and the cam way to move the arm to forwardly extended position. 8. A device of the character described comprising a casing in the nature of a figure,

comprising a casing in the nature-of a figure having movable arms, signaling means as sociated with each of said arms, and means for actuating said arms to effect movement thereof with the si naling means carried a predetermined number of coins being inserted into the casin a 10. A device of tie character described comprising a casing in the nature of a figure having movable arms, and means for actuating said arms to effect movement thereof with the signaling means carried thereby, means for effecting periodic illumination of said signaling means and alternately with respect to said arms means for maintaining the actuating means against operation, said means being releasable upon a predetermined number of coins being inserted into tliecasin testimony whereof I hereunto afiix'my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

- LOUIS GICLAS.

Witnesses:

JAB. E. HUTCHINSON, MARY H. KELLY. 

